The two prime ministers are in Astana to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit where India and Pakistan will be inducted as full members of the bloc, in its first-ever expansion since its inception in 2001.

Sources say PM Modi enquired about Mr Sharif’s health and that of his family.

There has been speculation about a possible meeting between PM Modi and Mr Sharif in Astana to ease the growing tension between the two neighbours. However, on Monday, India ruled out any meeting between the two leaders.

“No meeting is scheduled either from their side or from our side,” Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said.